14 foods that are scientifically proven to make you happy

Eat until your heart's literally content

If we had to count up a list of foods that make us happy we would be here until the start of next year (spaghetti, ice cream and chocolate would be up there, for sure). But before you start thinking that it's just the bad stuff that makes you happy, scientists have actually worked out what really makes you happy.

Choc-o-holics, rejoice! Dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants, but it's also been found to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, according to a study in the Journal of Proteome Research.

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Bananas

Everyone knows bananas are full of potassium, but what you may not know is that they also contain tryptophan, a brain chemical that helps to regulate mood, according to Dr. Ara DerMarderosian, research professor at University of the Sciences. Bananas are also a good source of B vitamin folate, and having low levels of the vitamin has been linked to depression.

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Berries

Certain flavors in berries have a chemical similarity to valproic acid, which is a prescription mood-stabilizing drug, according to research conducted by Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies. The flavonoid anthocyanidin found in berries also reduces inflammation, which has been associated with increased rates of depression.

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Quinoa

It's with good reason quinoa is having a moment right now. A flavanoid found in quinoa, quercetin, has been shown to have anti-depressant effects, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Neuropharmacology.

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Oysters

Low levels of zinc have been linked to anxiety, according to a study in Nutrition and Metabolic Insights. To keep yourself cool and calm, get your fill of foods rich in zinc, like oysters.

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Salmon

Salmon is chock full of omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve mood and fight depression, according to a study in the journal of Pharmacological Research. (Bonus: Healthy fats keep your hair shiny. And good hair is enough to induce happiness in our book).

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Tumeric

It's time to turn up the heat. The yellow spice, most known for its use in East Asian cuisine, contains curcumin, which enhances mood and fights depression, according to ethnobotanist Chris Kilham.

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Green Tea

A Japanese study found that psychological stress was lower in individuals who drank five or more cups of green tea per day. (But I mean, that's a lot of green tea).

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Apples

An apple a day really does keep the doctor away. Eating fruits and vegetables, like apples, produces a calming effect, creates more energy, and increases overall happiness, according to the British Journal of Health Psychology.

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Spinach

There's a reason why Popeye ate it. Spinach contains folic acid, which alleviates depression and reduces fatigue, according to the Journal of Physiology.

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Mushrooms

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression, according to a study from the University of Melbourne, so start sautéing those mushrooms, because they are surprisingly high in vitamin D.

According to a study by the United States Department of Agriculture, low magnesium levels are linked to lower energy. Chomp on magneisum rich foods, like beans, to make sure you don't fizzle out too quickly each day.

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Walnuts

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA found that eating walnuts can improve brain function. Contributing factors include walnuts' high antioxidant content, vitamins and minerals, and that they contain a large amount of alpha-linolenic acid, a plant based omega-3.

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